Upgrade to server 2008 x64 using same hardware

We're planning to upgrade our existing network infrastructure (2 X 2003 32 bit DCs) to 2008 x64 over the summer. Obviously because this is cross-architecture we need to reinstall the OS but I need to do this in a way I can reuse the existing servers.

My plan so far is as follows:

• Transfer all FSMO roles from current forest root to users server
• Wait for replication to make sure all DNS records etc have migrated
• Demote existing forest root
• Run adprep etc against users server in preparation for 2008
• Reinstall OS on forest root with server 2008 x64
• Promote new FR as DC
• Transfer FSMO roles back to FR Server
• Demote users server
• Reinstall OS on FR server
• Promote users server as DC and install DNS etc
• Wait for replication to occur then perform DCDiag

Can anyone see any potential problems with the above, or have any experience of a similar migration?


Also, any ideas how I can reinstate the shares on the servers after the migration? The data will still be there because its on a separate disk.

Cheers :)

Use RmtShare to recreate the shares its a good tool - Rmtshare - File and Printer shares